For the past several months, I have been reading through John Calvin's commentary on the book of Genesis. Today, I came to the portion of scripture wherein Cain is cited to the tribunal of God for the murder of his brother, Abel. Cain attempts, rather pathetically, to repel the judgement of God. "Am I my brother's keeper?" he asks.
But God will not be mocked. "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth," the Just Judge of heaven declares. In this statement Calvin draws out three truths that I found to be most reassuring.
1)
God is cognizant of the deeds of men, though no one should complain of or accuse them. God the omniscient has no need of a counselor. He sees all mankind, and knows all their ways. Nothing is hidden from his sight, especially those deeds done under the cover of darkness.
2) (God)
holds the life of man too dear, to allow innocent blood to be shed with impunity. God is the giver of all life, and regards it as precious in his sight. This should be a source of comfort for the innocent, and terror for the wicked.
3) (God)
cares for the pious not only while they live, but even after death. The voice of Abel's blood was said to cry aloud from the ground. God heard the cry of righteous blood and provides a righteous response.
God cares for his children in life and in death. The psalmist declares that God lovingly knit us together in our mother's womb, and in another place, "The death of the saints is precious in his sight," (Psalm cxv. 17). May this be a source of encouragement to the saints, that God continually watches over us, and guards the life of him whom he has undertaken to preserve.
